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AP Psychology: 6.2 - Operant Conditioning (Part I)

Operant conditioning is a learning process where behaviors are shaped by consequences. It was developed by B.F. Skinner to explain voluntary behaviors that are not elicited through classical conditioning. The law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike stated that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of behaviors being repeated through positive reinforcement of adding desirable stimuli or negative reinforcement of removing undesirable stimuli. Punishment decreases behaviors through positive punishment of adding undesirable stimuli or negative punishment of removing desirable stimuli.

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Ishika Bhattarai
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114 views4 pages

AP Psychology: 6.2 - Operant Conditioning (Part I)

Operant conditioning is a learning process where behaviors are shaped by consequences. It was developed by B.F. Skinner to explain voluntary behaviors that are not elicited through classical conditioning. The law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike stated that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of behaviors being repeated through positive reinforcement of adding desirable stimuli or negative reinforcement of removing undesirable stimuli. Punishment decreases behaviors through positive punishment of adding undesirable stimuli or negative punishment of removing desirable stimuli.

Uploaded by

Ishika Bhattarai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3/13/2020

AP Psychology

6.2 – Operant Conditioning (Part I)


1

Operant Conditioning
• Limitations of Classical
Conditioning
• Classical Conditioning focuses
on existing reflexive behaviors
that are automatically elicited
by a specific stimulus
• Does not account for the actions
that someone would take
voluntarily

• Learning involves new behaviors


or voluntary actions that
classical conditioning cannot
explain

1
3/13/2020

Operant Conditioning
• The Law of Effect
• Theorized by Edward Thorndike
(1874-1949)

• Used baby chicks and cats to


systematically investigate animal
behavior

• Stated that voluntary behaviors are


influenced by their consequences
• In other words, behaviors that lead to
satisfying outcomes are more likely to
be repeated
• Behaviors that lead to unpleasant
outcomes are less likely to be repeated

Operant Conditioning
• BF Skinner & Operant
Conditioning
• Skinner believed that psychologists
should only focus on observable
behavior that could be objectively
measured and verified

• Operant = Any active behavior that


operates upon the environment to
generate consequences

• Operant Conditioning is a learning


process in which behavior is shaped
and manipulated by consequences
(rewards or punishment) that follow
a response

2
3/13/2020

Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcement
• Occurs when a reinforcing stimulus
follows an active behavior or
response

• The stimulus increases the


probability that the behavior or
response will be repeated

• Types of Reinforcers:
• Primary: Naturally reinforcing for a
given species
• Food, water, shelter, etc.
• Secondary: Gains its effectiveness
through a learned association with
primary reinforcers
• Money!

Operant Conditioning
• Positive Reinforcement
• Adding a positive stimulus
following a desirable behavior
• Examples?

• Negative Reinforcement
• Removing an adverse stimulus
following a desirable behavior
• Examples?

• Remember!
• Positive ≠ Good
• Negative ≠ Bad

3
3/13/2020

Operant Conditioning
• Punishment
• A process in which an aversive
stimulus follows a behavior or
response

• The aversive consequence decreases


the likelihood of the behavior
being repeated

• Positive Punishment
• Adding an aversive stimulus after a
response
• “Punishment by application”

• Negative Punishment
• Removing a reinforcing stimulus after
a response
• ”Punishment by removal”
• NOT Negative Reinforcement!!

Operant Conditioning
• Punishment
• Drawbacks:
• Punishment can produce undesirable
effects such as fear, hostility, and
aggression
• Punishment is often only a temporary
change in behavior
• Can cause a behavior pattern of ”Learned
Helplessness”
• The learner feels that it is impossible to
escape punishment, which leads to a
passive feeling of hopelessness that may
lead to depression

• Effective Uses:
• Delivered immediately after the behavior
• Should be certain and “fit the crime”
• Should focus on the behavior, not the
character of the learner

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